PRO NOTES FROM E-TOWN

Notes from various writers
Photos by Jeff Burk

Once again weather played a major role in an NHRA national event. An unseasonable cold spell and high barometric pressure produced exceptional conditions and fast times at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, site of the Matco Tools SuperNationals. The crews battled changing weather conditions - warm and wet on Friday; cold and wet on Saturday; and sunny and cool during Sunday's eliminations. The second Friday qualifying session was washed out.

TOP FUEL

WHAT'S IN THE FRIDGE?

Kenny Bernstein couldn't seem to shake Larry Dixon. He had beaten his Top Fuel nemesis on the quarter-mile pavement May 19, but Dixon was dominating the refrigerator. And that irked Bernstein almost as much as if he'd broken a blower belt in their NHRA Matco Tools SuperNationals final-round match-up.

Dixon had upstaged the Budweiser King Dragster driver in his "Forever Red" farewell-tour season by winning five of the first seven races. Then, when it was Bernstein's moment to shine, he reached for a cold beer. The only brand in the NHRA's refrigerator was Miller, which sponsors Dixon.

With Bernstein, it's always business before pleasure. He chided the NHRA media relations managers, defending his 23-year sponsor. "They don't support you. Budweiser does," the Lake Forest, Calif., driver scolded. He was referring to the fact Budweiser is the official beer of NHRA and that it sponsors the $100,000 Big Bud Shootout at Pomona for Top Fuelers and the Budweiser Shootout at Indianapolis for Funny Car drivers. The company also pays $4,000 to the top qualifier in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes at each NHRA national event.

After that, he savored his 63rd career victory, his seventh at the New Jersey track and his first against Dixon this year.

"We love it here," he said of the facility where he made his return to the sport in 1978 following a seven-year absence. Then he joked, "I was going to hate to call Budweiser and tell them we lost to Miller again." He said the rivalry with Dixon is deepening: "We've been racing a solid year and a half, and it's turning into a big deal." -- Susan Wade

DIXON KEEPS POINTS LEAD

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